Dreaming of exploring historical medinas and historic kasbahs? Crossing the rusty dunes of the Sahara Desert and climbing the arid peaks of the Atlas Mountains? Sitting beneath the swaying fronds on a palm oasis or strolling by way of the blue metropolis of Chefchaouen whereas listening to the decision to prayer? Whereas many individuals planning a visit to Morocco will solely keep a number of days in Marrakech, or mix a go to with a visit to Spain or Portugal, this nation in North Africa has a lot to supply that it’s price visiting by itself and planning a 7 day Morocco itinerary.

Morocco is shortly turning into a scorching journey vacation spot not only for younger vacationers, however many households are selecting to go to Morocco with youngsters. But determining the proper Morocco journey itinerary generally is a problem, particularly as a result of there are such a lot of lovely locations in Morocco.

Preserve studying for 3 choices in your Morocco itinerary relying on how a lot time it’s a must to spend in Morocco.

• 7-Day Morocco itinerary (4 days in Marrakech, 3 days in Fes)
• 10-Day Morocco itinerary (3-4 days in Marrakech, 1 night time in Skoura/Ourzazate, 2 nights Merzouga/desert, 3 nights Fes)
• 14-Day Morocco itinerary (Day 1 Casablanca / Rabat, Day 2 Rabat to Chefchaouen, Day 3 Chefchaouen, Day 4-7 Fes, Day 7-8 Sahara Desert camp, Day 8-10 Skoura, Day 10-14 Marrakech)

How A lot Time SHould You Spend in Morocco?

Two weeks is admittedly the perfect period of time to go to Morocco. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to undoubtedly get an excellent really feel for the nation with only one week or, even higher, at the least 10 days. Relying on how a lot time you’ll be able to spend in-country, you have got some robust decisions to make about what you retain in and what it’s a must to pass over of your Morocco journey itinerary.

For instance, when you dream of driving camels within the Sahara desert and staying in a single day in a desert camp, it’s exhausting to suit that right into a one-week Morocco itinerary as a result of it’s at the least an eight-hour drive from Fes to Merzouga on the fringe of the Sahara, and even farther from Marrakech.

Equally, you actually can’t match within the beautiful Blue Metropolis of Chefchaouen when you solely have a ten day Morocco itinerary. Not less than not until you might be keen to surrender a visit to the desert!

However that’s okay, I’m going to stroll you thru what a 7, 10, or 2-week Morocco itinerary might seem like!

Do you want assist planning your journey? In case you are feeling overwhelmed and don’t have the time or sources to wade by way of tons of knowledge and query your choices, I assist shoppers plan a customized itinerary, tailor-made to your pursuits and journey type. Be taught extra about my journey planning providers.

Possibility 1: 7 Day Morocco Itinerary

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Should you solely have one week in Morocco, I might suggest that you just fly into Marrakech. Should you discover a higher deal or a direct flight flying into Casablanca, simply take into account that most guests don’t spend far more than a day in Casablanca to see the Hassan II Mosque, and that it’s roughly three hours from Marrakech.

With 7 days in Morocco, you’ll have time to go to two locations. I might suggest both Marrakech and Fes or Marrakech and Merzouga within the Moroccan Sahara.

• Days 1-4: Marrakech
• Days 5-7 Fes

Plan to spend three nights in Marrakech (4 if you wish to do a day journey). You might select to remain in a conventional Moroccan riad, or at one of many resorts just like the 4 Seasons Marrakech or the Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech, outdoors of metropolis middle. Some good riad choices embody:

• Riad Kaiss in Marrakech – most attraction (that is the place we stayed for 2 nights after which we break up our time between the riad and the 4 Seasons for 2 nights)
• Villa des Orangers — for a splurge riad
• Riad Kniza — extra fairly priced

Day 1 – Marrakech Souk

Spend your first full day soaking within the metropolis with a half-day tour of Marrakech souk. This will depart you loads of time to wander by way of the medina and store after the tour. It is possible for you to to see locations the place they hand-dye textiles, do metallic working, and different handicrafts. Simply take into account that many shopkeepers are not looking for you to {photograph} the merchandise with out permission or financial compensation. (Additionally, it’s offensive within the Islamic tradition to {photograph} folks’s faces.)

Whereas exploring the souk, you might wish to cease into one of many pharmacies for natural cures and merchandise like rose water, argan oil, or Moroccan tea. A go to to one of many spice distributors can be a visible delight, simply watch out when buying gadgets like saffron as there are a lot of fakes within the medina too. It helps to ask an area the place to buy.

Within the night, remember to take a stroll by way of Jemaa-el-Fna Sq.. It may be fairly the spectacle, with snake charmers, meals distributors, and all types of products on show. Simply preserve an in depth eye in your valuables and when you cease to take an image of the snake charmers, you will need to tip them. You’ll quickly study that tipping is anticipated in Morocco, even when somebody provides you instructions or helps you in any method.

Close to the sq., you’ll be able to stroll by the Kutubiyya or Koutoubia Mosque and Minaret, which is the biggest mosque in Marrakesh.

Day 2 – Marrakech Meals

In your second full day, I might counsel that you just dig deeper into the delicacies with a cooking class & market go to or meals tour with Marrakech Meals Excursions. We took a cooking class with Souk Delicacies, which was superior.

It began with a go to to the market the place our information gave us every a procuring listing and cash and helped us buy what we would wish to organize a meal. We then went to an area’s house to organize the meal, with their assist, together with strolling our bread to the native bakery oven. Then we loved an genuine Moroccan meal ready with our personal arms.

Within the afternoon, take a while to loosen up at your riad or lodge. There are various nice eating places in Marrakech when you really feel like exploring different cuisines as the remainder of your time in Morocco you will note the identical dishes on the menu, together with kefta, couscous, tagine, pastille, and briouats.

Day 3 – Marrakech Museums & Palaces

In your third day in Marrakech, there may be nonetheless a lot to see however two sights you shouldn’t miss embody the Dar El Bacha Museum and the Bahia Palace. Situated close to the doorway of the medina, the Dar El Bacha was as soon as the house of Thami El Glaoui, the pacha of Marrakech.

The structure of the museum is the primary attraction, though there are fascinating artifacts inside that characterize the varied cultures of Morocco together with Berber, Arabic, and Jewish. The museum has unbelievable wood carvings, lovely tilework, and a stunning courtyard with aromatic orange bushes.

Bahia Palace is an exquisite mid to late Nineteenth-century palace that was first constructed by Si Musa, grand vizier of Alaouite sultan Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman, in 1859 after which continued and expanded by his son Si Ba Ahmed ibn Musa, grand vizier of Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz between 1894 and 1900.

There are lovely mosaics, carvings, and tilework that present a superb backdrop for images. We selected to have household images right here by Flytographer.

In case you have extra time, you might wish to go to among the main sights reminiscent of:

• Les Jardins Majorelle botanical gardens and YSL Museum
• Museum of Marrakech
• Dar Si Mentioned
• Saadian Tombs

Day 4 – Day Journey

In case you have a fourth day in Marrakech, I might suggest selecting an tour that pursuits you outdoors of the town. These are primarily full-day excursions, though some may very well be half-day.

Some day journey choices embody:

• Day journey to Essaouira — Essaouira is a picturesque seaside city. The primary sq. was utilized in Orson Welles’ Othello. The bay is fashionable with kite and wind surfers, and you’ll head all the way down to the water to see the fishing boats after which stroll alongside La Skala, one of many port bastions.
• Excessive Atlas Mountains / Berber Villages — head into the Excessive Atlas Mountains and go to a number of genuine Berber villages, together with a cease for lunch at an area’s house. You may even embody a camel experience.
• Ouarzazate and Ait Ben haddou — take a full day journey throughout the Atlas Mountains to see the traditional kasbah of Ait Ben haddou (you might acknowledge this from Gladiator or Recreation of Thrones) and the “Hollywood within the Desert” of Ouarzazate.
• Rock Desert and Camel Journey — take a half-day tour into the close by rocky desert and climb on board a camel for a experience by way of a palm grove. This tour will sometimes cease for conventional mint tea in an area village.
• Different choices embody quad biking, horseback driving, and excursions of Marrakech through bike sidecar.

Day 5 – Journey to Fes

Within the curiosity of time, from Marrakech, I might suggest taking a brief one-hour flight to Fes. Another choice can be to take a practice however that takes 6.5 hours (though it’s a good price range possibility.) The previous city of Fes is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and options one of the best medina in Morocco. It is called the mental and religious coronary heart of Morocco, whereas Marrakech is extra touristy.

Should you proceed to Fes, that is the place I might undoubtedly suggest staying in a conventional riad within the medina, even when you opted for a resort or a riad outdoors of the medina in Marrakech. Some nice choices embody:

• Riad Fes — Relais & Chateaux luxurious riad (that is the place we stayed)
• Karawan Riad — beautiful property, better of one of the best
• Dar Roumana — extra price range pleasant however fairly conventional and good

Upon arrival, I might head out on a Fes meals tour (until you took one in Marrakech, then perhaps strive a cooking class with Riad Fes.) Should you aren’t a lot of a foodie, then I might counsel taking a medina tour or visiting the tanneries to see this necessary a part of the native tradition and financial system. Fes is unquestionably an excellent spot to do a few of your memento procuring! We ended up shopping for pottery, leather-based items, and metallic merchandise in Fes.

Or, when you simply wish to loosen up, check out one of many conventional hammams for a soak, scrub, and therapeutic massage.

Day 6 – Fes Tour

Your second day in Fes is when it is best to actually dig into exploring this superb metropolis. I might suggest hiring a information to get the complete historical past and background, however you may definitely discover many of those locations by yourself. A few of the highlights embody:

• Historical Medina – a lot extra genuine than Marrakech, it’s straightforward to get misplaced on this labyrinth but in addition enjoyable to find the completely different sections, reminiscent of fancy attire, metallic working, spices and meals, and many others. Simply take into account that among the extra generic memento varieties of outlets close to the Blue Gate promote items which can be made in Asia, not Morocco. Search for outlets the place you’ll be able to see the artisans at work and be ready to cut price! It’s a sport that Moroccans take pleasure in.
• Royal Palace (Fes Palais Royal Dar El Makhzen) with its golden gates – you can not go inside however it’s enjoyable to take images in entrance of the attractive golden doorways
• Previous Jewish Quarter (or Mellah) – positioned close to the Royal Palace you’ll be able to stroll by way of a gate into the quarter, go to the synagogue and Jewish cemetery, and go to the outlets (it is a large jewellery district.)
• Pottery quarter – you’ll be able to go to a cooperative to see every step of the pottery making course of. This can be a good spot to by genuine souvenirs.
• Close by fortresses of Borj Sud and Borj Nord – these forts have been inbuilt 1582 and provide nice views over Fes.

You may see all of those websites in someday however you will have a automotive to get to many of those spots so hiring a information is the easiest way to go.

Day 7 – Return

In your final day in Morocco, you might want to get again to your metropolis of departure. You could possibly both fly again to Marrakech, or you may rent a driver to take you to Casablanca through Meknes and Rabat.

Possibility 2: 10 Day Morocco Itinerary

With three additional days to play with, you’ll have time to get to the Sahara desert when you don’t thoughts spending a number of time in a automotive. Begin your journey out in Marrakech, as I’ve outlined above, however in your fourth full day (not counting your arrival day), both lease a automotive or rent a driver in your three-day journey into and out of the desert.

• Days 1-4: Marrakech (as outlined above)
• Day 5: Eit Ben Haddou / Skoura
• Day 6-7: Merzouga, Sahara Desert
• Days 8-10: Fes

Day 5 – Drive to Eit Ben Haddou & Skoura

I can’t stress sufficient how lengthy the drive is from Marrakech out to Merzouga within the Sahara Desert. It would be best to cease in a single day to interrupt up the journey. Even then, the driving can really feel a bit infinite and it may be sluggish going, particularly when you get behind a truck.

As soon as you permit Marrakech, you’ll journey throughout the plains that encompass Marrakech and over the Tichka Move of the Excessive Atlas Mountains. You’ll want to cease for some superb views of this winding street. The primary cease will both be the historical kasbah of Telouet, or head straight to Ait Ben Haddou.

Ait Ben Haddou is one of the best preserved kasbah in Morocco. The village is an Eleventh-century assortment of kasbahs which can be nonetheless inhabited by a handful of households. It should look acquainted as a result of it has been used because the backdrop to many motion pictures and TV exhibits.

There aren’t actually any indicators or markers throughout the city, so to get probably the most out of the expertise, I might suggest hiring an area information. In case you have a driver, they will most likely assist prepare this. Anticipate to pay round 200 Dirhams (about $20) for a brief tour (see my Morocco journey price range to study extra about what a visit to Morocco prices.)

From Ait Ben Haddou, you’ll undergo Ouarzazate. Immediately this ex-French international legion outpost is a bit touristy and the middle of the film trade. You may cease and go to the movie studio however I’m unsure whether it is price it.

On the finish of the day, you’ll arrive in Skoura, a palm oasis, the place you’ll be able to spend the night time. In case you are in search of luxurious, Dar Ahlam is the place to remain. Nevertheless, we stayed on the L’Ma Lodge, which options a big backyard of palms and fruit bushes with a pool and welcoming rest areas. We cherished this probably the most of all of our lodging on the journey. It was such a calming place to sit back out.

Day 5 – Drive to Merzouga

Your subsequent day is spent driving from Skoura to Merzouga on the fringe of the Sahara desert. You’ll move by way of the Dades Valley and Kelaa M’Gouna (which sits on the head of the “Rose Valley”) and Todra Gorge. In case you have time, cease at one of many ladies’s rose cooperatives to buy rose oil, rose water, and different locally-made merchandise.

Cease for lunch close to the Todra Gorge and you’ll take a straightforward hike by way of the higher a part of the gorge. Todra Gorge is a sandstone ravine with 300-meter cliffs on both facet of a really slim passage.

From there, you’ll proceed on to reach in Merzouga earlier than sundown. Should you select, you’ll be able to prepare for a sundown camel trek into the desert to get to your desert camp.

There are fairly a number of desert camps on this space, so it isn’t like you might be alone within the Sahara. The one we stayed at was Jaimas Madu, which had luxuriously-appointed tents with personal toilet services (a should for us!) We have been stunned by how good our tent was and the meals was scrumptious. It was such a particular expertise.

Day 6 – Sahara Desert

Spend the day having fun with camp and the actions out there within the desert together with sand boarding, four-wheel drives, and night time time star gazing.

Day 7 – Drive to Fes

Today is devoted to the lengthy drive over to Fes. You’ll move by way of the Center Atlas Mountains. You’ll want to cease earlier than you get to the Swiss-inspired college city of Ifrane to feed the macaques. You may’t miss them as you might be driving by and there are distributors promoting peanuts.

When you arrive in Fes, you’ll be able to decide up from the one-week Morocco itinerary above to finish your journey.

Possibility 3: 14 Day Morocco Itinerary

In case you have two weeks to spend in Morocco — fortunate you! With two weeks, you’ll be able to take a special strategy than the 7 day or 10 day Morocco itineraries outlined above. I might counsel utilizing the next schedule:

Day 1 – Arrival

In your two-week Morocco itinerary, I might attempt to fly into Casablanca and out of Marrakech, or into/out of Casablanca (until you might be connecting by way of Europe, then it will be very best to start out in Tangier when you might.)

Upon arrival in Casablanca, you may both spend your first night time there (go to the Hassan II Mosque and Rick’s Cafe) or head as much as Rabat, Morocco’s capital metropolis.

In Rabat, you’ll be able to hit a number of of the town’s highlights: Hassan Tower, Kasbah des Oudaias, Chellah, and the Medina earlier than the four-five hour drive to Chefchaouen.

Day 2 – Chefchaouen

Most of this present day will likely be spent touring to Chefchaouen as sadly, there isn’t any straightforward solution to get there. Many individuals have requested me, “is Chefchaouen price it?” And you probably have lower than two weeks in Morocco, then it’s undoubtedly not price all of the journey to get there. Nevertheless, when you do have two weeks or extra, I completely cherished this little gem.

Perhaps it was as a result of we have been there in March and never “excessive season” for all of the Instagrammers, however I discovered it charming and genuine, so long as you’ll be able to ignore these posing for photos (which wasn’t a ridiculous quantity.)

Chefchaouen is called the Blue Metropolis and tourism is booming after many have fallen in love with its blue-washed partitions and secret alleyways after seeing it on Instagram (confession – I’m responsible!) It’s arguably the prettiest metropolis in Morocco, nestled between two peaks of the Rif Mountains.

Lodging are considerably scarce in Chefchaouen and never the identical stage of luxurious that yow will discover in different cities. We stayed two nights on the Lina Ryad, and likewise thought of the Riad Cherifa.

Day 3 – ChefChaouen Exploration

You’ll have just a little over a day to discover the winding alleyways and markets of Chefchaouen. Uncover the previous Jewish quarter, and go to the Ras El Ma spring, the place native ladies wash their garments.

In case you are feeling adventurous, you’ll be able to take a hike to the previous Spanish Mosque/fort on a hill outdoors the medina. From right here you’ll be able to see lovely views of the valley and in case you are fortunate, catch an exquisite sundown.

We employed a information, which helped us to not get misplaced, however truthfully I don’t assume you want a information to discover as the town is pretty compact and you’ll often discover your method again to the place you got here from.

Day 4 – Drive to Fes

From Chefchaouen it’s a 4 hour drive to Fes, the place you’ll decide up from the 7-day itinerary above, however in reverse order.

Day 5-6 – Fes

You’ll spend three nights in Fes earlier than heading into the desert. You might think about taking a day journey to Meknes from Fes to see the partly excavated Berber-Roman ruins of Volubilis. Check with the Fes part beneath the 7-day itinerary above.

Day 7-8 – Merzouga

Since you have got time, I might suggest spending two nights within the desert so that you’ve extra time to do actions like sand boarding and dune busting, in addition to the sundown camel experience. See particulars within the 10-day itinerary above.

Day 9-10 – Skoura

Then, in your method out of the desert, you’ll be able to spend two nights in Skoura to interrupt up the driving. See particulars within the 10-day itinerary above.

Days 11-14 – Marrakech

You’ll then proceed on to Marrakech through Eit Ben Haddou. You’ll spend three to 4 nights in Marrakech and may both fly out of Marrakech, or prepare a three-hour switch again to Casablanca on the finish of your journey. See particulars within the 7-day itinerary above.

Attending to Morocco

Most guests coming from america will fly into Casablanca, though you could possibly fly into Marrakech when you join by way of Europe. U.S. cities with direct flights to Morocco embody New York, Washington D.C., and Miami. In Europe, some cities with direct flights to Morocco embody Paris, London, Lisbon, and Madrid. Most main airways provide direct flights to Morocco, together with Air France, British Airways, and Royal Air Maroc. There are additionally a number of price range airways that provide flights to Morocco, together with Ryanair and Easyjet.

Getting Round Morocco

I’ve a complete put up concerning the execs and cons of driving in Morocco, however the backside line is that whereas it’s completely attainable to drive your self safely round Morocco, it is usually far more nice to have a driver if the price range permits.

Should you determine to self-drive, simply beware that there are velocity traps arrange outdoors of just about each city. Many roads are slim and winding, with many vans to deal with. One other nice advantage of hiring a driver is that they’ll know one of the best locations to cease and eat, use the lavatory, or sights to go to alongside the best way.

Our driver Hassan was such a gem. He crammed us in on a lot native historical past and customs throughout our lengthy drives, giving us a deeper appreciation of Morocco throughout our go to.

On the lookout for extra info in your Morocco itinerary?

Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising and marketing government and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged knowledgeable in household journey. Tamara is a member of SATW, NATJA, IFWTWA, and the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and serves on the Board of the Household Journey Affiliation. She can be the writer of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Trip Experts journey podcast.

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